International Zurich Marathon

This was my 23rd marathon, 1st one in Europe. If you are ok with no Expo, no marathon/running merchandise to see or buy and no pre-race activities, then this might be the race for you. If you like an out and back course or parts of the course repeated, then this might be the race for you. And if you like so much congestion after you cross the finish line that you can hardly move, then this is the race for you. Personally, I think the Swiss can and should do better!

A very well organized run. Entry allows free travel before, during and after the event. I got a train from Basel- awesome. The route goes through the city and then out and back along a long stretch of the lake. Lots of support towards town but many stretches with not many people around. Plenty of aid stations with water, iso drinks and gels. Completely flat so great potential for PB/PR.

Don't be fooled by the name - most of the marathon takes place outside of the city of Zurich. After a 10k loop through the city, you will follow a road next to the lake until you reach the turning point... only to run the same route back to Zurich. Apart from two hot spots (and due to the course's design), you won't find that many spectators to cheer you on. The course is relatively flat, even though I don't understand why they focus so much on the possibility of running a PB. A PB depends on the quality of your training, not so much on running a boring and quiet course. Registration is expensive and there are way better options to run a marathon in spring.